Albums

Album Review: The Outline

[Album: You Smash It, We’ll Build Around It]
[Label: 30:30 Recordings]

‘You Smash It, We’ll Build Around It’ is without doubt one of the finest debut albums to come out so far this year. It comes courtesy of The Outline, a four-piece from Los Angeles who construct some damn fine experimental rock. Their debut release is so good that they are already signed to Fearless Records over in the US. This is definitely the first album I have reviewed this year that has given me “that feeling”. You know the feeling you get when you listen to an album for the first time, and you get this wave of excitement and wonderment spread through as the album progresses. It almost feels as if you are the only person to hear the album, as if the band has made it just for you.

The album kicks off with ‘Aesthetics’, a track which almost demonstrates exactly what The Outline and their debut LP is all about. It begins with a haunting sweeping vocal, a repetitive guitar riff and a simple electronic beat. Vocalist Graham Fink soon introduces us to his soft yet persuasive voice, and soon ponders a thought his audience may also be thinking, “Something is missing…” That “something” is soon found as moments later we are exposed to the expert drumming of Ryan Rabin, and the intelligent bass guitar of Max St. John. The track erupts with off-kilter guitars, heavy pounding drums, and vocals that show Fink extending his vocal range from defiant shouts to softer mellower tones. It’s a brutal track which is musically diverse and heavy, as well as vocally challenging and full of emotion. It sets a high standard and thankfully the rest of the album does not disappoint.

It’s an album that is really diverse and the next track ‘Life Or Life-like’ is a prime example of that, particularly considering its positioning straight after ‘Aesthetics’. It wouldn’t sound out of place on daytime radio, but yet the track still keeps the integrity the band laid down from the outset. ‘Death To Our Enemies’, due to be the first single from the album is a solid track that confidently encompasses what the band is about; irregular beats, angular guitars, and quirky, yet approachable, vocals.

The record continues in a similar vein to the opening three tracks I’ve just mentioned. What makes this such a strong debut release is the diversity on show. Each track is different to the last one, meaning the listener is never left bored as The Outline are not afraid to try out new ideas and stretch their artistic talents. It is no surprise really considering the band composes their material as a collective unit, with Fink explaining that “it’s not just one person’s perspective and it makes for a much better end result”.

The final track, ‘Broadway And Hurst’, finishes the album off in just the right way adding a lyrically humorous vocal approach to proceedings. It demonstrates yet another style The Outline can turn to, whilst highlighting how the band can produce great music without taking themselves too seriously.

The band will be supporting Say Anything during early June, and follow that with a tour support slot alongside The Rocket Summer during July. I urge you to not only check this highly impressive debut album out from an infectious young band, but also check them out on tour.

For fans of: The Mars Volta, Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys
Band link = The Outline

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